The club announced that right-hander Juan Nicasio will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to remove a loose body that is causing inflammation and fluid to build up.

Surgery is scheduled for July 16, meaning Nicasio likely won’t pitch for the Rockies until September, if he pitches at all this season.

“The goal would be to get Juan back in September,” manager Jim Tracy said.

Nicasio injured his knee on June 2 at Coors Field when he attempted to field a ball hit hard up the middle.

Last season, Nicasio broke the C-1 vertebrae his neck after being struck by a line drive during a game against the Nationals on Aug. 5 at Coors Field. Nicasio made a remarkable recovery and earned a spot in the Rockies’ starting rotation to begin this season.

“I think I can come back this year, but this really stinks,” Nicasio said. “I have never been hurt before, but then I hurt my neck and now my knee. It really stinks.”

WASHINGTON — Thirty games into the 82-game NHL season, and nearly six weeks after the Matt Duchene trade, Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic discussed the state of his team before Tuesday’s 5-2 loss at the Washington Capitals.